An English Disney planaholics 1st trip to DLR & 3 week USA adventure, pre trip report

[Danauk]

oops, I see your shows now. If you get a chance, Phantom of the Opera is really good at the Venetian. The theater is made for the show, so the special effects and props are Disney worthy!

Deb

We have seen Phantom many times in London's West End (we see 3 or 4 West End shows a year) which is why we choose the Cirque shows instead. I agree though, Phantom is a great show.

Well 3 weeks today we will be in the air at this time. I know my trip is getting near as Flower, one of the unofficial Disboards mascots is joining us on our trip and she arrived at my house on Saturday from the previous Disser who took her to WDW!

 

[Danauk]

So with 2 weeks to go I should be excited right? But this happens before every trip, I plan a lot and then as the trip approaches the excitement seems to go and the nerves creep in for some reason. Does that happen with anyone else?

Anyway some of my $$ were delivered on Friday and the rest are arriving next week. I got a great rate of £1=$2 which is the highest we have ever got coming to America.

So today I realised we didn't have any luggage lables, seen as we booked direct with the airline and have e-tickets we never get sent them and then I usually remember at the airport to get some. So this time I decided to make my own (thankfully I have a laminator in the office.)

Now, hopefully these next 2 weeks will pass quickly and the trip will finally be here.

 

[SNOWHITE7]

I'm starting to feel just the same. I haven't done nearly as much planning as you and I'm starting to worry I've forgotten something.

Where and when did you order your dollars? That really was a great rate.

I would love to see your luggage labels. I think I just used standard ones last year as we always book online and, as you say, they never send us any.

Two weeks tomorrow we'll see you on the plane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Danauk]

We ordered the $$ a while ago from Crown Currency to get that rate. The ones that arrived a few days ago I got direct from Amex and I think the rate was 1.94 to the £. I'm glad I ordered the bulk of them at the £1=$2 though! For the luggage lables I just used Disney photos I have taken on one side and printed the address on the other. You'll see them on my hand luggage on the plane!! Maybe thats how you can identify me, the one with Disney luggage tags and Dis tags on my handbag!!

 

[reyasmommy]

Your trip sounds amazing! I hope you have a wonderful time.

I'm so jealous that you'll be staying at the Belagio, that's my dream hotel.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[Danauk]

7 days to go!!!!!!

My $$ arrived today which made the trip seem more real! Plus I am happy today as I was looking some info up on the Hilton website for the hotel we are staying in at Six Flags Magic Mountain and I noticed the rate had gone down since we booked, so I cancelled our origional booking without a penalty and re booked at the cheaper rate which saved me $110!!!!

My parents phoned this evening too and they are coming down on Friday as they are house sitting for us to look after the pets whilst we are away (they live 2 hours away.) They figured they better come down a few days before hand so we can show them how to work things in the house, make sure they know where the shops are etc.

So I guess in a few days time I had better start to pack!!

 

[elliefusmom]

We're going to be there some of the same days that you are! I'm going to look for the 2 of you Tues. morning at EE!!

Only days to go!!

 

[Danauk]

We're going to be there some of the same days that you are! I'm going to look for the 2 of you Tues. morning at EE!!

Only days to go!!

I'll be easy to spot, I made these to hang from my bag

If you see me say Hi!!

I hope you have a fab trip too.

 

[got2gp]

Sounds like you have a great trip planed! Three weeks is a long time to plan for.

I see that you are going to be our neck of the woods for a couple days (we are near Magic Mountain). There are a couple things you should be aware of, if you are not already. Your plan has you driving from DL to MM then to San Pedro and back to MM. That is close to 200 miles of driving in one day. Add in breakfast at DL, time in MM and dinner in San Pedro--that's a lot. At best, you are looking at each leg of the trip taking at least an hour, that is as long as you don't hit traffic. It normally takes just an hour for us to get to DL, but on occasion it has taken two to three hours. Thankfully it will be on a Saturday, but you never know with LA traffic. it's possible to do, just may not be very much fun. Also be prepared for temps near 100F at MM. It's much more like Vegas than DL. They have misters in the ride lines, but much of the park is hilly and there are large areas with no shade.

Have a great trip! Can't wait to read all about it when you get back.

 

[Danauk]

I'm aware that the driving that day is not ideal, but I really want to see my Dis friends and we have to get to MM that day to activate our passes and check into the hotel before we drive go meet them for dinner. We are used to long drives though, we regularly drive for 2 hours to visit my parents for the day, stay a few hours and then drive home so we are not fussed about that. We are used to hilly parks, we are AP holders at Alton Towers which is the UK's number 1 theme park and that park is very hilly. We have to walk down a valley side and back up the other side to walk between our 2 favourite coasters!!

 

[SNOWHITE7]

I love your mickey heads for your bag. Look forward to seeing them next week.

 

[Sarah84]

Sounds like a fantastic trip you have planned, im doing something simular next year so can't wait to read all about your trip.
Hope you have a fantastic time

 

[Danauk]

Even though we don't leave until Monday (at 5:30am!!) I have already packed!! My parents are coming down to house sit for us to look after the pets and they arrive tomorrow so I thought I had better pack now whilst I still had the space to spread all the cases out!!

I'm beginning to get excited about the trip now, just not looking forward to the long flight!! I got my itinerary through from the VIP department who have made all our ADR's, sorted our tours and sorted out special seating for us for various parades and shows.

4 more sleeps until I see Mickey!!

 

[Bloodhound]

Even though we don't leave until Monday (at 5:30am!!) I have already packed!! My parents are coming down to house sit for us to look after the pets and they arrive tomorrow so I thought I had better pack now whilst I still had the space to spread all the cases out!!

I'm beginning to get excited about the trip now, just not looking forward to the long flight!! I got my itinerary through from the VIP department who have made all our ADR's, sorted our tours and sorted out special seating for us for various parades and shows.

4 more sleeps until I see Mickey!!

for 3 more sleeps by the time you reaad this....lol Man I wish I had a VIP planner

 

[Sarah84]

Even though we don't leave until Monday (at 5:30am!!) I have already packed!! My parents are coming down to house sit for us to look after the pets and they arrive tomorrow so I thought I had better pack now whilst I still had the space to spread all the cases out!!

I'm beginning to get excited about the trip now, just not looking forward to the long flight!! I got my itinerary through from the VIP department who have made all our ADR's, sorted our tours and sorted out special seating for us for various parades and shows.

4 more sleeps until I see Mickey!!

I'd be packed too and i'd be at the door waiting haha, wouldnt be able to sleep this weekend. I'm always way too excited the last few days before i go away

 

[Danauk]

All the cases and bags are packed, just completed on line check in and printed off our boarding passes and are ready to go. We will leave our house at 5:30am tomorrow to drive to Heathrow ready for our 11 hour flight.
Whooooo, tomorrow evening I'll be watching the Electrical Parade!!

 

[heatherleigh]

Well, you're probably in Hollywood about now. I just found your pre-trip report. It sounds like so much fun. I would love to take a long vacation like that. I can't wait to hear your reviews when you return!